Resume Writing Workshop

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Resume Writing Workshop
Instructor Name, Title US Department of
Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation
Employment Program Date
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Introduction

• Have you signed the class roster?
• Do you have a Trainee Handout packet?
• Facilities
• About the topic

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Topic Objectives

• Describe the importance and purpose of a resume.
• Recall the information that is common to all
  resumes (the anatomy).
• Differentiate between the three different types
  of resumes.
• Select the resume that is most appropriate for
  your work history so that your job skills can
  best be presented.
• Identify skill sets and write skills statements.
• Draft a functional (skills-based) resume targeted
  to the job you are seeking.

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Describe the Resume

• Purpose and Importance. First impressions are
  important. Make sure the resume is
• Well written
• Written in commonly used language
• Attractive, relevant, and targeted
• Anatomy
• Contact information
• Career Summary or Job Objective
• Education and Training
• Work Experience
• Skill Statements
• Put sellable points first

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Different Types of Resumes

• Chronological
• Functional (skills-based)
• Combination
• Your choice of resume should be based on your
  work history, but should be targeted to your job
  goal.

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Different Types of Resumes continuedChronological

• Most common format most recent job listed first.
• Use when you have a continuous employment history
  and you want to call attention to your stable
  work history.
• Focus on activities that are similar to what you
  want to do in your new job.

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Different Types of Resumes continuedFunctional
(skills-based)

• Use to highlight your skills and accomplishments
  rather than your work history.
• Effective when you are switching fields or your
  job titles dont do justice to your abilities.
• Focus on the skills that support your new job
  goal.

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Different Types of Resumes continuedCombination

• Uses aspects from both the chronological and
  functional formats
• Lists your jobs from most recent to earliest,
  then highlights responsibilities and
  accomplishments within each job listed.
• Effective when you have held several jobs with
  significant responsibilities and accomplishments.

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Identifying Skills

• Use Handouts, page 8 (Functional Skill Headings)
  to
• Identify skills required by job
• Identify your skills
• Write skills statements

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Practice Exercise Sample Job Description (15
minutes)

• Break into groups of 3-4 people
• Identify the skills a job announcement is looking
  for
• Use page 8 (Functional Skill Headings) of your
  handouts as a guide
• Write 4 skill headings and one sentence under
  each
• Use handouts (page 2 Sample Skills Statements and
  page 9 Action Verbs)
• Come together to discuss as a large group

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Draft Your Own Functional Resume

• Identify skills required by job
• Handouts, page 8 (Functional Skill Headings)
• Identify your skills
• Handouts, page 8 (Functional Skill Headings)
• Write skills statements
• Handouts, page 4 (Skill Sets Worksheet) See page
  6 (Functional Format Sample Class) to see where
  your skills sets worksheet should be placed in
  your resume.
• Handouts, page 2 (Sample Skills Statements)
• Handouts, page 9 (Action Verbs)

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Summary

• We have learned about
• The purpose, importance, and anatomy of resumes
• The 3 different types of resumes.
• How to identify skills.
• How to write skills statements

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Post-Lecture Exercise/Requirement

• Register in http//www.vetsuccess.gov/
• Post here after you finalize your resume.

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Are there any questions?